On a late night in East Elmhurst last year, a routine patrol turned into a violent confrontation that resulted in two police officers being shot. The perpetrator, Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, has now entered a guilty plea to charges of attempted murder and assault. According to a statement released by the Queens District Attorney's Office, Mata, undomiciled and 20 at the time of the incident, was apprehended after he fired on the officers who were attempting to stop him for traffic violations.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz remarked on the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that Mata "shot two New York City police officers at close range." Mata had been driving a motorcycle the wrong way on a one-way street without a helmet before the altercation that led him to quickly attempt to flee on foot. The charges detail that Mata struggled with the officers, ultimately discharging a firearm and injuring them. The incident, which took place June 3, 2024, fortunately did not claim the lives of the involved officers, largely due to a bullet-resistant vest that saved one officer from more serious harm, as reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
Mata's guilty plea brings this chapter of the case to a close as he awaits sentencing set for June 10. The prosecution led by Assistant District Attorney Lauren D. Reilly has reached a plea that will likely see Mata facing 28 years in prison. He is poised to spend 25 years for the attempted murder charge, with five years of post-release supervision, and an additional three years for the assault charge.
The incident initially unfolded when Mata was spotted by NYPD officers Christopher Abreu, Richard Yarusso, and NYPD Sergeant Nicholas Condos. After abandoning his motorcycle and being pursued on foot, Mata resisted arrest, leading to the two officers being shot. Officer Yarusso sustained a chest injury that was stopped by his vest, while Officer Abreu was hit in the thigh. The quick response of Officer Abreu, who fired back and injured Mata, enabled them to subdue the defendant and make the arrest. Both officers were treated and subsequently released from a local hospital, and a loaded Hi-Point .380-caliber pistol along with ballistic evidence was recovered at the scene.
In the wake of the shooting, discussion surrounding the safety of law enforcement and the individuals they encounter during patrols has once again come sharply into focus. The District Attorney's office, by ensuring Mata's accountability, aims to affirm the seriousness of such offences against public servants.
